How do you get everything done around the house with a nursing newborn?

Anne - posted on 02/22/2010

when James was an infant, I didn't try very hard to get stuff done around the house. I considered it a good day just nursing and cuddling him. Once he got older, I started doing things. I made myself a weekly schedule and picked one thing per day. Today is vacuuming and floors day (moping the non-carpeted areas). Tomorrow is mowing day. Etc...He's 18 months now, and I don't always get my "daily chore" done, but i also have a hubby who will pick up the slack if i don't get to things.

Alyssa - posted on 02/20/2010

I would say that you do what you can and get the rest you need. Since your baby is new, no one should expect that your house will be spotless and a 5 course meal every day. If you have one, I would definitely utilize your crockpot or one-pan dishes. Good luck!!

Heather - posted on 02/20/2010

Good luck with that!! I have 7 children ages 1-11 and all the household chores just seem impossible to keep up with!! My advice is enroll the other two to help with the cleaning and laundry, esp. if they're school age.The freeze meals ahead of time advice is golden also. And just let it go!! This time may seem to be lasting forever, but it's SO short and won't last. Just get the hubby involved and weather the storm 'till it passes! And get those other two working!! Good luck and stay sane!

Kirstie - posted on 02/20/2010

You don't! Do as much as you can, and leave the rest until you can. Don't run yourself to ruin by trying to be a super mum. It isn't good for you, and it isn't good for your kids. I am pretty sure they don't care, it is only you who sees it.

Amy - posted on 02/19/2010

i nursed in my moby wrap. he was safe and snuggled and i had at least one hand free to do some things. but in all honesty, my mom told me if the house wasn't perfect it meant you're a good mom because you're paying more attention to kids than chores. my daughter was a huge help to me when i had my son. she was only 2 1/2 but loved to put laundry int he washer for me - or at least drag the basket to the laundry room. she also knows how to take her own plate and cup when she's done and put them on the counter. cooking is tricky. you really have to time it out. a lot of times i'd brown meat ahead of time while he was napping just to be able to eat at a decent hour later! on the weekends i'd make meals ahead of time so i could just heat them up during the week. or did frozen things i can pop in the oven - daughter loved to put chicken on the pan while i nursed [it took her about fifteen minutes just to "perfectly" put them on htere. she's too funny]. it ain't easy. sometimes i wonder if i can handle three.

D - posted on 02/19/2010

Yes, with the first it is easy. You get to sleep, you can do other things when they are sleeping... But when #2 comes, things change. I did learn to breastfeed and walk around the house at the same time to "do things" that needed to be done (even eating dinner - that's fun). But you know, my mom said breastfeeding is great because it makes you sit down and relax! My two children will be in school once my 3rd is born so maybe (maybe) I'll get a bit more rest. we'll see.

Sheryl - posted on 02/19/2010

i agree with one of the ladies said up on another post give the kids some chores they can handle. we give my son the chore of cleaning up his toys. his getting so good at it even after just playing with one toy he puts up the other toy before he gets another toy. giving them chore really does work. even ask your husbend helps some.

Sheryl - posted on 02/19/2010

well i did was try to do my work when he was sleeping. but i understood that there are days you are just not going to get everything done. there are still days i don't get everything done and i like my hope really nice and clean. i those days i know i am not going to be able get everything done what i do are the main things like dishes, laundry and just pick up a lil in the living room. hope that helps some. good luck.

Andrea - posted on 02/19/2010

try a maya sling. i've found that she nurses less when she's in one--she really just wants to be close to me. like jill, she won't nap most of the timeunless i'm holding her. with the sling, she goes right to sleep and i can reposition her in a cradle hold and have two hands free. i can't do everything like normal, but i can do a lot more things.

Jill - posted on 02/18/2010

For me it's pretty much impossible & she's 6 months old. She won't nap unless I hold her so that's not an option. And she doesn't entertain herself for very long, not more than 5-10 min tops. My husband has had to help out A LOT since she was born. Sometimes he'll hold her while I try to cook, but usually he's stuck making dinner. I have used a baby carrier a few times but won't use the stove or cleaning products while wearing her so I'm still limited. I've asked my husband to try to give me at least 15 min in the evenings so I can do something but that rarely ever happens. Sometimes I can do things when she goes to bed at night but this child stays up until 11 or 12 at night. And then she doesn't sleep long without me. It's hard but as I'm sure you know from having 2 already - this too shall pass.

Alicia - posted on 02/18/2010

Give the older two nap time or quite time in their room and put the little one if awake also in a playpen and let him/her watch you pick kup around the house. I usually would wait till the weekend to clean bathrooms and wash a load in the morning right when awaking.

Kelly - posted on 02/15/2010

Well I have four boys and I can't get it all done. I learned something from my mom along time ago "we live in homes that are lived in". That takes alot off of me. They will not remember if everything was done or not. But they will remember how much time you played with they. They will be grown one day and they you will have a spotless house and wonder what you are going to do.

Crystal - posted on 02/13/2010

Why are you trying to get everything done? I am a clean freak but when I nursed my kids that was more important than a few dishes or some laundry. You need to make sure you are getting enough rest and food for yourself or you want be nursing for very long. You'll run yourself ragged and your milk supply will be gone. Take care of yourself first so you can take care of baby and everyone else.

Good luck.

Andra - posted on 02/13/2010

You don't. You cut yourself some slack and realize that when the baby gets a little older, you will catch up and be able to do what you need to. Right now, bond with your newest blessing, and don't worry about the rest so much!! This time goes way too fast. Enjoy the time you have with her while she is tiny.

Kristina - posted on 02/13/2010

it is hard to do it alone. I have to agree with others here: just do what you can. You may feel helpless, but do your very best to love yourself. What I always told myself out loud was,"One thing at a time , one minute at a time, one moment at a time."

Adair - posted on 02/13/2010

I know this makes nursing a little less personal, but I know a woman who had one of those baby slings, and the baby was about to nurse while she did the chorse, including doing dishes. I only have 2 children and they are both home with me all of the time right now, so my house is usually a mess until weekends when i pick a room or the entire house and don't stop until its clean. It only takes about an hour and my older chilod loves to help while the younger one just kind of watches or takes a nap.

Jane - posted on 02/12/2010

don't stress yourself out. worry about the key things that you need done and let the other stuff wait.

Danielle - posted on 02/12/2010

i would get as much done as you can and then if your not a single mom try to get some help later in the day when the other person gets home :-)
good luck

Sheila - posted on 02/12/2010

Make sure you get rest, and just do what you can! I had a backpack with my first daughter and I would put her in it while I cleaned house and she loved it! I can't afford one this time around so I just do what I can! I won't waist my time stressing that it's not as clean as I would like it to be, I just enjoy my precious gift and clean when I can. (my baby likes being held most of the time, so it can be a challenge! Luckily my DH is very understanding!)

Marie - posted on 02/12/2010

some ones says be quite whilst ur cleaning dont id advise not to do that u make them light sleepers and then u never do anything do wat u would usually do so that the baby gets use to the noises and they sleep through it it works for a lot i no of

Maria - posted on 02/12/2010

Do the laundry, do the cooking, and forget the cleaning. Learn to live with crunchy floors, piled up dishes, and a buildup of living room chaos. Then every week or two (or maybe once a month like me!), you can go through and clean to your heart's content. If it's at all possible, the kids can go off with the grandparents or a friend or relative for a day, so you only have the baby to take care of between chores.

Lena - posted on 02/11/2010

Nursing the baby and feeding the children are your most important, take care of that first and yourself. Have the kids help sort the laundry and throw it into the machines for you to add evrything else. Give them chores they can handle, make it a game, they only want some attention too. Before you know your little one will be running around in no time.

Dawn - posted on 02/11/2010

Oh, I forgot to add a bit of advice I got from my sister (mother of four who also takes in foster kids). Find out what is most important to each of you. (If I can only get one thing done today, what would make the most difference for you?) For my sister's husband, it was making the bed... she could work hard all day and get everything done but pick up their bedroom and he wouldn't notice. But if she made the bed, he assumed she worked hard all day even if the rest of the house was a mess! For my husband it is the dishes. Same thing: In his brain, dishes done = I worked hard. My thing is floors. I have to be able to walk (not shuffle) and not have anything stick to my feet or trip me (tripping with an infant was not my idea of fun), so I do those two things first... then fit in whatever else I can. You end up with the biggest bang for your efforts.

Dawn - posted on 02/11/2010

You can't do it all! Is a spotless house more important than kids feeling like they are a priority? NO! I stay home and homeschool. I had one boy who would want to eat 15 min after he just finished a 45 min nursing session... and I wasn't running out of milk. My house is rarely spotless, even though I am an organization freak. Thankfully, my husband understands. My kids (7,5,4,2) all put thier own laundry away. They pickup their own toys. My four year old often asks to help put the dishes away. They aren't where I would put them, but he wants to help, and the dishwasher is empty and ready for more dishes. They are learning that family helps each other. The more they help Mom, the more time EVERYONE has to play together. When I nursed, (and I nursed all four in their turn) I was feeling so behind that I literally told my husband that if the house wasn't WORSE when he got home, assume I worked my butt off all day. Hang in there. 15 years from now, your kids will appreciate more that you were always there when they needed you than they will that you kept a spotless house.

Elaine - posted on 02/11/2010

I remember when I was nursing my kids...it takes up a large chunk of your time and everything else gets put on hold. But it's worth it and I would never take back those moments with my kids

Elaine - posted on 02/11/2010

I try....really I do, but I am outnumbered (4 kids 15,11,9,& 3 and husband works out of town, alot) I have tried to get them to help, but it's not worth the nagging. Seems like my three year old messes it up faster than I can clean. Plus I have dogs and cats, etc. I used to be really hard on myself but I've accepted that my house will not look like a model home. It's not gross or anything...just messy

Leigh - posted on 02/11/2010

I only have two kids,so when my son was nursing,in order to get things done that needed doing without having to stop to nurse or help my daughter with stuff,I'd get up a couple of hrs earlier so I could get a head start on jobs.

Basia - posted on 02/10/2010

Jo Holland has it completely right (my opinion)... Don't stress, do what you can... they don't stay little for long and in a very short time they will be entertaining themselves for short periods of time, and you can worry about the house then.... I also recommend crock-potting your meals, its fresh, fast, and easy... throw it together and forget it until dinner time.

Marie - posted on 02/10/2010

everyones diffrent i found it easy but then i had a baby who took all his feeds and slept even wen he was awake he was good if she/he not taking feeds id get that checked out,as for cleaning the only thing is wen childs having nap or even if awake if there happy

Olivia - posted on 02/10/2010

This is my first child and he nurses every 2 hours as well as eating table foods. He always wants to be held, but I found that the baby slings/packs come in handy. Also try to get the quieter chores done while they nap. I hope this helps, good luck!

Ashley - posted on 02/10/2010

thanks for all the responses and I will try them all!!! My husband is a great help he even cooks!!! lol I got him a Foreman grill and he puts everything on there. On Fridays he treats us with pizza or chinese. He gets the baby 1st thing once he comes in and then I shot thru the house b4 she needs to fed again. My older ones helps at bit by entertaining her so I can get a shower. lol!!! I will certainly try the chores such as wiping dwn, sweeping, mopping great advice. I've realized that everything cnt be done and dnt take it to hard on myself. God bless you all have a great day.

Jo - posted on 02/09/2010

Do what's important,forget the rest.It's only a short while your baby will keep you so busy,they soon get a little routine ,you can catch up later.I keep a clean kitchen,I do the bathrooms with antibac every morning,and squirt cleaner down the loos.Those are the important things to keep clean.The rest I don't worry too much about.I cook extra when I can and freeze it,so I always have quick healthy meals for the family.I don't spend hours cooking.You can soomn get back to all that
Special time with your baby's important,and so is your rest,especially if you're feeding a baby.
Never be afraid to ask someone to help if they're visiting.My Mum doesn't even wait to be asked now.Are your older kids old enough to do a little cleaning up in their room,maybe taking their laundry to the machine,things like that.I give mine a pack of baby wipes and tell them to get dusting.Not child labour at all,and at the end there's a reward or treat or something.

Nikki - posted on 02/09/2010

prioritize what is important.. let some things go and enjoy the age.. you can't do everything ...

Shavaune - posted on 02/09/2010

I had a side sling for my youngest daughter (a baby carrier that you can breast feed them in) She was my 4th baby so I just couldn't get anything done and I really had no choice. Don't stress out too much! Just do what you can when you can do it. If you have a new baby people will understand that your house will be a bit chaotic for awhile.
I also gave my older children chores after school, they do dishes, take down the laundry for me, help me clean up and now they get an allowance, (which their pretty pleased with!) If their old enough to go to school then their old enough to start doing small chores i figure. It teaches them responsibility while helping you out at the same time.

SAMANTHA - posted on 02/09/2010

HONESTLY YOU CANT... I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE ALOT ON YOU AS A MOTHER OF 3 BUT YOU CANT DO IT ALL ON YOUR OWN...ONE SUGGESTION THAT I CAN THINK OF , MAYBE IF YOU CAN MAKE PRE-MADE MEALS THE NIGHT B4 SO THAT THE NEXT NIGHTS DINNER WILL JUST NEED HEATING UP AND ALSO IF YOU CAN DO LAUNDRY AND CLEANING AFTER ALL ARE IN BED THAT WILL GIVE YOU FREE TIME IN THE DAY TO BE LESS STRESSED....FOR ME THIS WORKED....THIS WAS WHAT WORKED FOR ME I WOULD HAVE TO STAY UP A BIT LATER BUT AFTER GETTING THE KIDS OFF FOR SCHOOL U WILL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO NAP AND CATCH UP ON SOME SLEEP AS UR LITTLE ONE NAPS TO MAKE UP FOR GOING TO BED LATER......AND THIS WILL GIVE YOU PLENTY OF TIME DURRING THE DAY TOO GET CAUGHT UP ON THE LITTLE THINGS YOU COULDNT DO THE NIGHT B4...THIS WILL AT LEAST CUT UR WORK LOAD DOWN FOR THE NEXT DAY...GOD BLESS..SAMANTHA

Jennifer - posted on 02/09/2010

One thing with the cooking that always helped me, was when my husband had a day off, and could help hold the baby when I wasn't pumping (son refused to nurse), is I would make a bunch of meals all at once that could go in the freezer (mainly soups) That way, on those days that I couldn't cook, we still had a good nutritious meal to eat. Also, with the laundry, I would run as many loads of clothes through the washer and dryer as possible. I wouldn't even worry about folding them and puting them away. That way, if I did get a little extra time, I could fold them, but if I didn't, at least we all had clean clothes to wear, and if my mother-in-law came over, she always wanted to help, so she could fold them for me also. Since you have older children, let them help a little also. Younger kids can dust the furniture, make beds, and fold clothes. Older ones, can do dishes, sweep and mop floors etc. They may not get things as clean as you would, but every little bit helps.

Shannon - posted on 02/09/2010

My little one only takes one actual nap during the time that the older kids are at school usually from 10:30-2:30. I run my butt around during this time doing the laundry, dishes and other cleaning while entertaining a three year old. I ususally am dead on my feet when the older kids get home and some days not everything is done and then they take turns holding the baby for me so I can get the rest done before my husband gets home and supper and bedtime routines start. Some crazy days.

Whitney - posted on 02/09/2010

It is almost impossible. I would try to take an hour or two a day right after your done nursing to get things done. It is hard and only do what you can.